The “Guide to the Woodpeckers of North America” explores the 23 breeding species occurring in the United States and Canada. The guide is divided into regional woodpecker identification sections, each covering all species known to occur within that specific area. It also details the ecological and physiological adaptations that allow woodpeckers, sapsuckers, and flickers to thrive in diverse habitats.

Regional Guides to the Woodpeckers of North America
The following are regional identification guide to the Woodpeckers of North America. Each regional guide contains custom-made ID images/plates for each species known to occur within the region. The guides don’t just stop at identification through images. Each bird entry features information on identification, habitat, range, behavior, food, nesting, breeding, lifespan, population status, and conservation concerns
Follow the link to each region in North America.
Woodpeckers of the Southeast
The following guides are state-specific or combine multiple states, based on habitat similarities.
- Woodpecker of Texas & Oklahoma
- Woodpeckers of Georgia
- Woodpeckers of Florida
- Woodpeckers of Alabama
- Woodpeckers of South Carolina
- Woodpeckers of Arkansas
- Woodpeckers of Florida
- Woodpeckers of Kentucky, Tennessee, and North Carolina
Woodpecker Groups
North America is home to 22 breeding woodpecker species, belonging to the subfamily Picinae and further divided into four groups.
Ornithologist John Morony and his colleagues proposed (in 1975) the woodpecker grouping used here. They divided the true woodpeckers into six tribes or groups in their Reference List of the Birds of the World. Ornithologist Lester Short used this classification in his 1983 book “Woodpeckers of the World”.

- Campephilinib(Dryocopus) Group: These are the largest woodpeckers, with bold black, white, and red markings. The sole representative of this group, north of Mexico is:
- Pileated Woodpecker (Dryocopus pileatus)
- In addition to the 22 breeding species, North America also has the Ivory-billed Woodpecker (Campephilus principalis), a species that is likely extinct.

- Colaptini (Colaptes) group: This group features predominantly brown barred and spotted woodpeckers with brightly colored underwings. This group is represented in North America by:
- Northern Flicker (Colaptes auratus)
- Gilded Flicker (Colaptes chrysoides)

Melanerpini (Melanerpes) Group: Members of the Melanerpini group are generally medium-sized and noted for their colorful plumage.
This is a diverse group that includes:
- Acorn Woodpecker (Melanerpes formicivorus)
- Red-headed Woodpecker (Melanerpes erythrocephalus)
- Lewis’s Woodpecker (Melanerpes lewis)
- Red-bellied Woodpeckers (Melanerpes carolinus)
- Gila Woodpecker (Melanerpes uropygialis)
- Golden-fronted Woodpecker (Melanerpes aurifrons)
- Yellow-bellied Sapsucker (Sphyrapicus varius)
- Red-breasted Sapsucker (Sphyrapicus ruber)
- Red-naped Sapsuckers (Sphyrapicus nuchalis)
- Williamson’s Sapsucker (Sphyrapicus thyroideus)

- Campetherini (Picoides) Group: This group consists of small to medium-sized woodpeckers with black upperparts, often with white barring, and white underparts. This group includes familiar species like the:
- Downy Woodpecker (Dryobates pubescens)
- Hairy Woodpecker (Dryobates villosus)
- Red-cockaded Woodpecker (Leuconotopicus borealis)
- Arizona Woodpecker (Leuconotopicus arizonae)
- Nuttall’s woodpecker (Leuconotopicus nuttallii)
- Ladder-backed Woodpecker (Picoides scalaris)
- Black-backed Woodpecker (Picoides arcticus)
- Three-toed Woodpecker (Picoides tridactylus)
- White-headed Woodpecker (Picoides albolarvatus)
Characteristics that make a woodpecker a woodpecker
Woodpeckers are instantly recognizable by their distinctive (mostly) black-and-white plumage and drumming. But what truly sets these birds apart is a combination of specialized anatomical features and behaviors that allow them to thrive in their arboreal habitat. From their powerful beaks to their specialized tongues, woodpeckers are a marvel of evolutionary adaptation.

Specialized Anatomy and Behavior
Specialized woodpecker anatomical features and behaviors include:
- Tail and Feet: Woodpeckers have evolved a unique way of navigating their vertical world. Their zygodactyl feet, with two toes facing forward and two backward, provide a strong grip on tree trunks. The stiff tail feathers act as a brace, offering additional support while climbing.
This combination allows them to move up and down trees with a distinct jerky gait. Imagine a climber using specialized shoes and a sturdy rope for ascending a cliff – the woodpecker’s feet and tail work in a similar fashion. - Bill and Tongue: Their most striking feature is perhaps the chisel-like bill, perfect for hammering into wood. This specialized tool allows them to excavate nests, create drumming signals, and most importantly, find food.
But the bill is only half the story. Their tongue is a marvel of adaptation – long, barbed, and sticky, it can extend far beyond the bill to reach deep into wood crevices and extract insects. Think of it as a built-in spear with adhesive properties! - Shock Absorption: All that hammering could easily lead to head damage, but woodpeckers have evolved a clever system to protect their brains. Their skull is composed of strong, yet compressible bone, acting like a natural helmet. Additionally, their brain is positioned and cushioned in a way that minimizes impact.
Woodpeckers and Their Relatives
Woodpeckers belong to the order Piciformes, a group that includes several other intriguing families, all thought to be related due to common anatomical features shared with modern day woodpeckers. The close relatives of the woodpeckers are:






Specific anatomical similarities that link these families to woodpeckers include:
- Structure of the Breastbone: All members of the Piciformes have a similar breastbone structure, which is believed to be an adaptation for their arboreal lifestyle.
- Palate: The palate, or roof of the mouth, also shows similarities across the families within the order Picidae.
- Arrangement of Foot Tendons: The arrangement of tendons in the feet of Piciformes (members of the avian family Picidae) is another shared characteristic, likely related to their ability to climb and perch on trees.
However, it is important to note that there is ongoing debate among taxonomists about the precise relationships within the Piciformes. Some scientists suggest that jacamars and puffbirds should be placed in a separate order (Galbuliformes) due to certain differences from other Piciformes.
Scientific Understanding and Woodpecker Classification: Sapsuckers and Flickers

As new data emerge from studies of genetics, hybridization, and ecology, woodpecker classification can be revised to better reflect evolutionary relationships and species boundaries. Scientific understanding, particularly in areas of genetics and hybridization, has impacted the classification of sapsuckers and flickers, leading to both the splitting and lumping of species.
Sapsuckers: In the 1980s, the Yellow-bellied Sapsucker (Sphyrapicus varius) was split into three distinct species:
- Yellow-bellied Sapsucker (S. varius)
- Red-breasted Sapsucker (S. ruber)
- Red-naped Sapsucker (S. nuchalis)
This separation was based on:
- Appearance: The western forms (Red-breasted and Red-naped) exhibited distinct plumage differences from the Yellow-bellied.
- Hybridization: Limited hybridization between these forms where their ranges overlapped suggested reproductive isolation.
- Genetic Dissimilarities: Genetic studies supported the distinctness of these three sapsucker species.
Flickers: The classification of flickers has also seen changes due to hybridization studies.
- Lumping: In 1973, three North American flicker forms were lumped into a single species, the Northern Flicker (Colaptes auratus) complex, due to observed hybridization between the forms in overlapping ranges. This suggests that gene flow was occurring between these forms, supporting their classification as a single species.
- Splitting: However, the Gilded Flicker (Colaptes chrysoides) was later re-split from the Northern Flicker complex. This was because:
- Limited Interbreeding: The two species interbred only rarely.
- Habitat Selection: They selected different habitats where their ranges overlapped, indicating ecological separation.
The “Red-shafted” and “Yellow-shafted” forms of the Northern Flicker, however, remain combined as one species due to extensive interbreeding in overlapping ranges.
North America’s Largest and Smallest Woodpecker
The Pileated Woodpecker is the largest extant woodpecker in North America, while the Downy Woodpecker, belonging to a group known for its smaller size, is the smallest.

- The Pileated Woodpecker is the largest woodpecker north of Mexico, belonging to the Campephilini tribe, a group known for their large size and bold black, white, and red markings.
- The Downy Woodpecker is among the smallest woodpeckers in North America, belonging to the Campetherini group, which consists of small to medium-sized woodpeckers with black and white plumage.
Comparing Sizes: Pileated vs. Downy Woodpecker
The measurements for both species are as follows :
Pileated Woodpecker
- Length: 40 to 49 cm (16 to 19 in)
- Wingspan: 66 to 75 cm (26 to 30 in)
- Weight: 225 to 400 g (7.9 to 14.1 oz)
Downy Woodpecker
- Length: 14 to 17 cm (6 to 7 in)
- Wingspan: 25 to 30 cm (10 to 12 in)
- Weight: 21 to 28 g (0.74 to 1 ounce)
Size Comparisons
Let’s analyze their size differences using the measurements:
- Length: The Pileated Woodpecker (40-49 cm) is approximately three times longer than the Downy Woodpecker (14-17 cm).
- Wingspan: The Pileated Woodpecker’s wingspan (66-75 cm) is roughly three times wider than the Downy Woodpecker’s wingspan (25-30 cm).
- Weight: With a weight of 225-400 g, the Pileated Woodpecker is more than ten times heavier than the Downy Woodpecker (21-28 g).
Ecological Implications
- Nesting and Roosting: The Pileated Woodpecker, being large, excavates sizable cavities that, when abandoned, become valuable nesting and roosting sites for other cavity-nesting species like owls, ducks, and bats. The Downy Woodpecker’s smaller cavities cater to smaller birds and mammals.
- Foraging: Their size difference allows them to exploit different food resources. The Pileated Woodpecker, with its strong bill and long tongue, can access deep-dwelling insects in large trees, including carpenter ants and wood-boring beetle larvae.
The Downy Woodpecker, with its smaller bill and shorter tongue, forages on smaller branches and twigs, targeting insects like bark beetles, ants, and caterpillars. This size-based foraging specialization reduces competition for food resources. - Habitat: The Pileated Woodpecker, needing large trees for nesting and foraging, thrives in mature forests. Their presence indicates a healthy, undisturbed forest ecosystem.
The Downy Woodpecker is more adaptable and can inhabit a wider range of habitats, including younger forests, parks, and even backyards.
These size differences play crucial roles in maintaining the biodiversity of North American forests. They illustrate how varying adaptations allow woodpecker species to coexist by minimizing competition and maximizing resource utilization.
Important Considerations:
- Size Variations within Species: It’s worth noting that some woodpecker species, such as the Acorn and Pileated Woodpeckers, exhibit size variations depending on their geographic location. Larger individuals tend to be found in more northerly populations. This factor could slightly affect the overall size ranges for these species.
- Extinct Species: The Ivory-billed Woodpecker, now likely extinct, was once found in North America. It was a large species, potentially even larger than the Pileated Woodpecker. However, since it’s no longer extant, it’s not included in the current comparison of North America’s largest and smallest woodpeckers.
In short, the diversity of woodpeckers in North America is a testament to remarkable evolutionary adaptation. From the large pileated woodpecker to the tiny downy woodpecker, each species occupies a unique ecological niche. Their specialized anatomy, from their chiseled beaks to their extendable tongues, allows them to thrive in their arboreal habitats.
Additional resources:
- Woodpecker Feet and Toes
- The Woodpecker Tail
- The Woodpecker Tongue
- The Marvels of Woodpecker Bills
- Understanding Woodpecker Drumming Behavior
- Woodpeckers as Cavity Creators
- What do Woodpeckers Eat?
- Woodpecker Migration
- Woodpecker Damage: Methods to Protect your Home
References and Sources:
- Allaboutbirds.org)
- Gill, Frank B., 1994. Ornithology – 2nd Edition, W. H. Freeman and Company.
- The Sibley Guide to Bird Life and Behavior, 2001. Chris Elphick, John Dunning, and David Sibley (eds). Alfred A. Knopf, New York.